250 CONFLICT WITH A PIRATE. [1845. 



As misfortunes not unfrequently turn to our advantage, 

 so it was in the present instance ; by this delay we dis- 

 covered the only access to the main, which offered on this 

 coast ; as had we not touched the ground I should most 

 certainly have stood to seaward, and thus missed this 

 opening. As we neared the land, I noticed a prahu 

 moving along shore, and despatched Lieut. Roberton in 

 one of the cutters to obtain information as to anchorage, 

 as well as where water could be obtained. This perhaps 

 was a solitary instance in which I omitted the order " to 

 arm complete," she left her gun behind. About noon, Lieut. 

 Roberton came up with the prahu and requested, through 

 his interpreter, to learn where fresh water could be pro- 

 cured, as well as to pilot the ship to safe anchorage. At 

 first they appeared to be inclined to meet his wishes, but 

 evil counsel prevailed, and supposing our boats too weak 

 to resent insult, they pointed a brass gun they had on 

 board at the cutter, and assumed an attitude of defiance, 

 calling out in Malay, " fire, do not be afraid, fire ! " and 

 suiting the action to the order, they kept whirling the 

 lighted match in the air, to render its action more cer- 

 tain. Lieut. Roberton behaved with great coolness, desi- 

 ring the interpreter to inform them "that they were 

 friends lately from Bulungan, and not to be afraid, that 

 he had no desire to injure them, and merely asked for 

 information." With Malays, as well as with all uncivilized 

 nations, passive measures are always interpreted as weak- 

 ness. Deeming our cutter too insignificant to resent 

 insult with their supposed superiority of the brass gun, and 

 continuing to point it towards the boat, with the match 

 frequently near the vent, repeating their exclamation, " do 



